The Lok Sabha has sent the National Medical Commission Bill to the Standing Committee following opposition demand.

The committee has been asked to submit its report before the Budget session of Parliament.

Parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar said all opposition parties were unanimous to send the Bill to the committee and government gave its nod for this. Following this Speaker Sumitra Mahajan announced the decision.

The bill provides for a medical education system that ensures availability of adequate and high-quality medical professionals. It also aimed at encouraging medical professionals to adopt latest medical research in their work and contributing to research.

Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association, IMA called off its 12-hour countrywide shutdown of OPD services at all private hospitals in the country after the government agreed to its demand.

Former president of IMA, Dr K.K. Aggarwal said, they have called off the 12-hour strike as they have just been informed that the government has agreed to the demands and has sent the National Medical Commission Bill to a Standing committee.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) called for a 12-hour shutdown of all private hospitals in the country today to protest the National Medical Commission Bill, 2017 that seeks to replace the Medical Council of India.

The IMA has 2.77 lakh members, which includes Corporate Hospitals, Polyclinics and Nursing homes, across the country.